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The Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Grant Cohn noticed tight end Vernon Davis working exclusively with the wide receivers during the 49ers’ last minicamp. Immediately everyone was all a-twitter about what it means, with most concluding the 49ers are dissatisfied with their young replacements for the injured Michael Crabtree.

“I will do whatever the coaches want me to do,” Davis told NFL Network at the rookie symposium. “I’m here to do my job; I’m not here to get statistics. If statistics come, that’s cool. Where I’m at right now as a man and where I’ve grown as a player is in the team. My true identity is in the team.”

However, assuming Davis has made a transition from tight end to wide receiver might not be correct. When quarterback Colin Kaepernick took over for Alex Smith last season, Davis’ receiving numbers plunged. Sticking Davis with the receiver group means he got more opportunities during the off-season with Kaepernick.

Also, Davis excels as a deep threat from the tight-end position. However, he has never been that clever target that worms his way open on 3rd-and-5. Should Davis develop that capacity, the 49ers could see their third-down conversion rate soar. Davis would benefit from becoming less like Randy Moss and more like Jason Witten.

And getting Davis out of the traditional three-point stance as a tight end can help such a transition. Davis’ vision is limited with his hand in the grass and so is his ability to read a defense. Standing up as a slot receiver, he can use his increased vision to get a better handle on how to evade defenders.

Additionally, no one needs to see Davis block as a tight end. The 49ers know he can do it, and the ability to improve your skills as a blocker in non-padded organized team activity and minicamp practices is limited. Having Davis locked up with defensive ends is a waste of time.

Getting the Pro Bowl player more chemistry with Kaepernick is a far better way to spend off-season time.

Furthermore, the 49ers, like the rest of the league, are moving to more shotgun, multi-receiver formations, which often eliminates the tight end. If the 49ers want to keep Davis on the field in those situations, then he needs to learn to be a slot receiver.

Are the 49ers in a straight panic about replacing Crabtree? Or are they just trying boost Vernon Davis’ ability as a receiver?